Husband. Father. Brother. Shepherd. Bishop. Friend. Mentor. Leader. Follower of Christ. Gustavo Hernandez, age 70, of Perryton, TX passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Dad's story is one of those extraordinary stories people should write books about. He was orphaned at age 13, met the love of his life at age 18, immigrated to the United States, and came to Christ just a few years later. His story demonstrates the merciful hand and power of God in its entirety.

Gustavo Hernandez, our father, was born in Estación Conchos, Chihuahua on August 2, 1953. He was the son of a ranch steward and his mother was a housewife. In his youth he was orphaned and learned to live by the work of his hands. Until the age of nineteen he lived independently and tended livestock. He met his wife, Maria Hernandez, on July 29, 1972. They married on May 19, 1973. That year they made their first trip as a couple to the United States. His journey was one that many Mexican immigrants have taken. They crossed the Rio Grande and ran and walked until they reached New Mexico.

Our father accepted Christ in 1983, was baptized to the honor and glory of Jesus, and from there began his ministry as a minister of the word of God doing any job available. We would like to honor two men who helped form and begin his walk with Christ, Kenneth Wooster and his pastor, Rev. Josias Limones. Through these men, he learned how to lead the ministry. He was a deacon, musician, pastor, and in recent years, bishop, living a total of 41 years in the gospel. In 1992, Gustavo became pastor of the Perryton church, accompanied by his children and a family in the congregation. He had no fear of the pastorate because God had trained him for the job.

Since 1992 and throughout his ministry, Gustavo Hernandez led the Perryton church as pastor, striving to support and start daughter works in neighboring cities, including: Borger, TX; Guymon, OK; Dumas, TX; Hereford, TX; Pampa, TX; Cardenas, Chih.; and Beaver, OK. For him, the most important thing was the souls. "A soul counts" he has preached to us behind the pulpit. For the love of God and for a soul in need of salvation, we preach, teach, give praise, knock on doors, clean the church, cut the grass, do all those things the occasion demands even if the body , the world, or people oppose it.

Bishop Hernandez left an example of resilience, love, forgiveness, and humility. For years he had a vision of the town reaching beyond the present circumstance – in number, in building, in understanding, and in total, in every way helping to bring the people closer and closer to Christ. He left a legacy of leadership and love, not only for the Perryton church, but also for the surrounding areas – Guymon, Borger, Dumas, Hereford and Pampa and also for those more remote works found in Mexico. God chose him as the leader of the Hispanic people of this area. His example will continue to impact, not only here, but also those who will come after him. Paul teaches us that one plants, another waters but the growth is given by the Lord. Gustavo took part in this important process – sometimes planting, and other times watering, always recognizing that growth comes from God.

Gustavo Hernández was preceded in death by his parents, Macario Hernández and Paula González; and his wife and
eternal love, María Hernández. He is survived by his children: Gustavo Hernández and his wife Lynda Hernández; Albert
Hernández and Jackelline González; Maria Hernandez; Jesús Hernández and his wife Tiffani Hernández; David Hernández and
his wife Mónica Hernández; Mac Hernandez and his wife Krystal Hernandez; Francis Zavala and her husband Jorge Zavala; and
Paulita Hernandez. He will be missed by his 21 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.